Ben Rutt -- Real Estate Agent Lancaster, PA

Lancaster County’s Best Real Estate Search Tool - How Do I Use it?

Ok, Ben I’ve gotten on your website. It looks pretty neat, but how do I use it? That’s a question that you might be asking so I’ll help you out with this short screencast.  



If you have not been to RuttRealEstate.com to check out it’s great real estate search tools, I encourage you to do so. The searching on the site is powered by FlexMLS IDX and provides the combination of powerful yet easy to use real estate search tools with lots of information about the homes that you are searching for.

The advantage of searching using my site is that you are guaranteed to have fresh, up to the minute results. You don’t need to worry about outdated results that plague some of the major sites like Zillow or Trulia and you will also be able to view the homes the minute they hit the MLS. That’s the advantage of using the same tools the Realtors use.  

If you need additional help in finding that special home that’s hard to come by, go to the ‘Assisted Search’ tab and fill in your information along with what you are looking for. I will be in touch with you within 24 hours and will be able to provide professional real estate help for your home search in Lancaster.

Ben Rutt

717.983.8331 

Free List of Foreclosures and Short Sales in Lancaster County

(at the bottom of the post)

If you are looking a home or investment property in Lancaster County, it makes sense to take a look Foreclosures or Short Sales in Lancaster County. Foreclosures and Short Sales are something that we are going to be facing for the foreseeable future and can be a great opportunity for you to get a great value on a home for sale in Lancaster.

Foreclosures are homes that were defaulted on by the previous homeowner and are now owned by the bank (or the government). They are sometimes referred to as REO properties because of the space they are listed on the balance sheet -- Under Real Estate Owned. The bank typically does not want to do much work on these properties and sometimes they can sit for some time, but when the bank decides to sell they will lower the price and the buyer can get a real bargain.

Short Sales involve working with the bank, but in a different way. These sales can get complicated, but the homeowner is typically behind on their mortgage and they decide to sell (often to avoid a Foreclosure). When the buyer writes an offer, it needs to get approved by the homeowner first and then sent to the bank to see if they will accept short of what is owed on the mortgage. This process can often take 90+ days.

If you are looking to buy a Short Sale or a Foreclosure in Lancaster County, or if you are behind on your mortgage and want to know what options you have, it pays to work with a Realtor who knows what they are doing.

(Free List!) Follow this link for your Free list of Foreclosures and Short Sales in Lancaster County.

For more information contact:

Ben Rutt
717.983.8331
Rutt.Ben@gmail.com
RuttRealEstate.com

I recently had the opportunity to do a short question and answer series with Keystone Custom Home New Home Advisor Mike Klaips. I bring this information to you because I think it is very beneficial to find all the opportunities available in this market. Sometimes when you cannot find the perfect home out there on the market for you, a new home can be your best option. Mike works in two communities in Strasburg and one on Oregon Pike north of Lancaster City. As you can see he is experienced, successful, and provides the consumer with good insight. As always, contact me if you are interested in learning more about buying or selling Real Estate in Lancaster, PA.

1. Tell me about yourself and your background in real estate. How did you get started in the industry and how did you end up at Keystone? I have been involved in real estate for over 10 years now. Prior to my current position as a New Home Advisor for Keystone Custom Homes, I spent many years as a loan officer and manager in residential and commercial real estate finance. I was blessed with opportunities to travel and lend in almost all fifty states. My finance background has allowed me to transition into my current role well and is a value added service for my clients who are often intimidated by the ever-changing underwriting requirements of today’s highly regulated mortgage lenders. After spending time in both Philadelphia and Dallas, I made the decision to relocate back to Lancaster to be closer to my family. I decided at that time that it would be exciting to try something new that would still benefit from my previous experience and started looking at different opportunities. I read an ad in the Newspaper about the New Home Advisor position with Keystone Custom Homes and received strong positive feedback from family and friends after inquiring about the company. As someone who enjoys serving with those less fortunate, I especially appreciated Keystone’s interest in improving the lives of others through it’s sister microfinance entity Hope International. As a non-profit operating in some of the most dangerous and impoverished areas of the world, it spoke loudly to the mission and integrity of the company. Hope currently supports well over 250,000 clients in 14 different countries.

2. Why should a homeowner consider new construction? With new construction, you are given the opportunity to build a beautiful home that is entirely fit to your personal tastes and style. You are offered builder and manufacturer warranties that provide peace of mind not typically found in the re-sale market. More importantly though, with building code changes enacted in December of 2009, new construction standards require homes to be built with many safety features not included in construction previous to this date. You can sleep sound at night knowing that your family is protected from harm in a secure, well built home.

3. Why should they choose Keystone Custom Home as their builder of choice? With over 28 communities to choose from, Keystone has a location that is convenient for everyone. No one matches the selection of floor plans, elevations, and options available to you as a Keystone customer. Keystone Custom Home was the first builder to earn America’s Best Builder award 3 times, is a National Housing Quality Award winner and recently ranked among the top 110 builders in the country. With the construction industry feeling the impact of the shaky global economy, it’s important to have confidence in the viability of the builder that you are considering partnering with to build your family’s dream home. Choosing the right builder is an essential first step in ensuring a positive experience and delivery of a well built home. Having a strong presence in the local market place going on 19 years now, Keystone customers have confidence that we will be there to see their project through completion.

4. What sets Keystone apart from other builders? Keystone Custom Home offers an industry leading 20 year limited structural warranty. Our exclusive Key Choices Design program allows you to choose options and features that are most important to you and your family. With an assigned username and password, these selections can be made from the comfort of your own home computer. Our state of the art design center and experienced design staff offer you added confidence that you have made the right choices. Lastly, our Equity Promise program definitely provides our buyers with a key advantage when having the added factor of a home to sell.

5. What exactly is Equity Promise? How does the program work? Very simply put, Equity Promise allows someone to utilize the equity in their existing home to start building a new home right away. With the program, you will never have to make two mortgage payments and are guaranteed the highest market value for your home. An added benefit to the program is that you will never have to move into temporary housing, even if your existing home goes under contract.

6. What communities do you currently manage? Can you tell me about each?

I currently manage three communities for Keystone.

The Trails of Strasburg is a prestigious community within easy walking distance of the quaint historic town of Strasburg. The community is served by the Lampeter Strasburg School District and includes many upgraded features not often included in new home communities. The home sites back up to 3 nature preserves and parks yet you find yourself just minutes from shopping, restaurants, Route 30, 222 and the PA Turnpike. Single-family floor plans in this community currently start in the $250’s with Keystones current May incentive of 20% off.

Worthington at Township Square is an exciting new mixed-use development located within the Manheim Township School District. We are currently constructing single-family homes and are excited to include twin and townhomes as well in a future phase. Amenities will include a paved and landscaped hike and bike trail, parks with fountains and gazebos, and sidewalks and street lighting throughout. The homes range from 1700 to 2800 sq feet and start in the $240’s with Keystones current May incentive of 20% off. The commercial component will include a Turkey Hill convenience store, a bank, restaurants, and professional/retail space.

The Falls at Olde Mill is just now entering the exciting stage of closing out. With only five home sites remaining, a few lucky homebuyers are going to have to act fast in order to join this mature community. The Falls is served by Conestoga Valley School District and is convenient to Route 30, Lancaster City, and the Outlets. Single family home plans range from 1600 up to over 3200 square feet and start in the $210’s with Keystones current May incentive of 20% off.

I hope you found this informative and engaging. If you want to contact Mike you can email him at Mike_Klaips@keystonecustomhome.com If you would like to contact me about any questions regarding this article or Real Estate in general please give me a call at 717-983-8331 or email me at rutt.ben@gmail.com

As I mentioned in my first post, I am fond of Strasburg and would recommend anyone to go there to experience it's small town charm. My first post gave three places to see on your trip to Strasburg and in this post I will show you two more. Enjoy!

4. Village Greens Miniature Golf

A miniature golf course? Yes of course! Anyone who has had the opportunity to go to Village Greens knows that it is a beautiful course that is fun for the whole family. A place that has been voted the best miniature golf course in Lancaster County for 5 straight years! Struggle on the course? Well you can forget your troubles with some fresh milkshakes, homemade ice cream and sandwiches afterwards. There are 2 courses located on 13 acres of rolling, wooded hills. Try to focus as you avoid the obstacles including a covered bridge, a cave, and even a tobacco shed! So take your family, your friends, or enjoy the day by yourself and take in the views of Village Greens during your trip to Strasburg. During the winter months be sure to check out the Village Green's annual "Christmas Spectacular" The property is decorated with over 100,000 lights in a truly beautiful display!You have the opportunity to see live animals, see Santa and enjoy hot chocolate at this not to be missed event!

5. Sight & Sound Theatres

Sight & Sound is one of Lancaster's most popular destinations. The huge, 300 foot wraparound stage enchants audiences as they bring Bible stories to life. Everyone in the family will be amazed as you witness panoramic views of amazing events happening on stage. One of the things that sets Sight & Sound apart is its extensive use of trained animals. They have a husbandry staff of over a dozen people taking care of, and training these animals. I remember distinctly being amazed as a child as they brought animals from the back, down the aisles, and unto the stage. It truly is a one of a kind destination, one that should not be missed on your visit to Lancaster and more specifically, Strasburg. I hope you've enjoyed this brief summary of some great sites to see in Strasburg. Hopefully you too will be able to enjoy them and maybe I'll see you there! If you do need any help with your real estate needs in Strasburg or Lancaster please don't hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I will be glad to answer any questions that you might have!